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TV shows to be rated by age, not sex and violence
Six categories to take effect next month
In this story:
December 10, 1996
Web posted at: 10:55 a.m. EST
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Television industry executives are likely to adopt next week a system that uses six broad categories to rate entertainment programs by age suitability.
The proposed categories range from "TV-G" for program suitable for all audiences to "TV-M" for those intended only for mature viewers.
The rating system was to go into effect in January.
TV industry executives, meeting privately since March, rejected a system backed by children's advocates and educators to rate shows based on the amount of sex, violence and offensive language they contain.
Critics of the age-based system contend it will be too vague to offer parents much guidance about the actual content of TV programs.
It will be up to individual networks or syndicators to rate their shows. Once completed, the ratings will be used in conjunction with a "V-chip" that will be installed in new TV sets to allow parents to block shows they consider too violent or racy.
TV program ratings for children:
- "TV-K" -- suitable for all children
- "TV-K7" -- for children over 7
Programs for a general audience:
- "TV-G" -- for general audiences.
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A program would receive this rating if most parents "would find this program suitable for all ages ... it contains little or no violence, little or no strong language and little or no sexual content."
- "TV-PG" -- parental guidance suggested.
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This program "may contain some material that some parents
would find unsuitable for younger children.... infrequent
coarse language, limited violence, some suggestive sexual
dialogue and situations."
- "TV-14" -- Parents strongly cautioned.
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Programs in this category "may contain some material
that many parents would find unsuitable for children under
14 years of age," such as "sophisticated themes, strong
language, more intense violence and sexual content."
- "TV-M" -- Mature audiences only.
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The guidelines say this kind of program is "unsuitable"
and "too explicit" for children under 17 because of "mature
themes, profane language, graphic violence and explicit
sexual content."
Reuters contributed to this report.
Related stories:
- Clinton applauds TV industry - March 2, 1996
- Clicker control: Clinton, Congress and the V-chip - February 29, 1996
- Broadcasters tune out Clinton's call for v-chip - January 30, 1996
- TV made kid-proof with the new 'V-Chip' - August 17, 1995
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